Galloway Twp., NJ Police: Road Rage Shooting Sparks Stockton University Lockdown

• A Galloway Township woman was shot in the face Thursday during what police say was a road rage incident
• Stockton University went into lockdown as officers searched for the suspect
• A 46-year-old man was arrested and charged with attempted homicide

Apparent Road Rage Shooting in Galloway Township

Authorities have released more information about a shooting that took place in Galloway Township on Thursday afternoon, which prompted Stockton University to be placed on lockdown for several hours.

As for why it all happened, police say it appears to be a case of road rage.

The Galloway Township Police Department arrested 46-year-old Ernest W. Heinz of Port Republic for the attempted homicide of Maritza Arias-Galva of Galloway Township.

Shooting Details

Officials say the scene unfolded just before 1 PM when they received a 9-1-1 call from Arias-Galva, who reported she had been shot in the face by a man in a vehicle, who fled north onto Vera King Ferris Drive and into the Stockton campus.

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Arriving officers attended to the victim, who was able to describe her alleged attacker as a white man with blonde hair in a ponytail who was driving a white Honda SUV.

Officials say their work eventually led to a suspect being identified as Heinz, who was taken into custody later in the day at a home in the Blue Heron Pines Development in Galloway Township.

Search warrants were later executed at three homes in Port Republic, a residence in Galloway Township, and on two motor vehicles.

It was later determined that the shooting was the result of an isolated road-rage incident.

Stockton University Lockdown

Since the suspect's vehicle headed into the Stockton campus, officials at the university issued a shelter-in-place order at 1:19, which was lifted about three hours later.

Stockton later issued this statement,

The decision to issue the directive was made out of an abundance of caution, following notification from the Stockton University Police Department of a reported shooting incident in the surrounding off-campus area. While the incident did not occur on campus, the safety of our students, faculty, and staff is always our highest priority.

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Suspect Arrested, Victim Recovering

Heinz was charged with criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He is being held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

Arias-Galva is currently in stable condition and recovering from her injuries at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

Acting Career

Published reports have indicated that Heinz has an acting career and has been involved in a small handful of movies.

The Chief Speaks

Galloway Township Police Chief Eric Hendrickson said in a social media post,

The prompt and professional actions of our officers resulted in a quick apprehension of Mr. Heinz. We wish Ms. Aria-Galva a swift recovery, and we are here to support our community following this senseless incident.

He also thanked the Stockton University Police Department, the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, and the New Jersey State Police for their assistance.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.